Sharad Pawar Closed Doors to Maratha Reservation in 1994, Says Maharashtra BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale

Discussing next month's assembly elections, Bhosale predicted a landslide victory for the Mahayuti alliance and pledged his full support to the campaign. File pic/X

Bhosale also expressed concerns about the direction of the Maratha quota agitation led by Manoj Jarange Patil, questioning whether the campaign was aimed at solving problems or creating new ones

In a scathing attack on NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale accused the veteran leader of deliberately blocking the Maratha community’s path to reservation during his extensive political career. Speaking to reporters in Satara, Bhosale questioned why Pawar, despite serving as Maharashtra chief minister four times and holding key positions in the central government, failed to secure reservations for the Maratha community.

Bhosale alleged that Pawar’s 1994 notification effectively closed the doors to Maratha reservation, asking why this issue was never addressed during the 83-year-old’s tenure. “In the 75 years since Independence, Pawar has been at the centre of power for at least 65 years. Why did he never address the community’s plight?” Bhosale asked. He added that despite holding the reins of power, Pawar remained indifferent to the demands of the Maratha community.

On the ongoing Maratha reservation movement, Bhosale also expressed concerns about the direction of the agitation led by Manoj Jarange Patil, questioning whether the campaign was aimed at solving problems or creating new ones. He warned that political exploitation of the community would have long-term consequences.

Bhosale pointed out the irony that such agitations were absent when Pawar was in power but erupted once he joined the opposition. “People are watching this closely; don’t underestimate their understanding,” he said.

Discussing next month’s assembly elections, Bhosale predicted a landslide victory for the Mahayuti alliance and pledged his full support to the campaign. He announced that he would actively campaign across the state for Mahayuti candidates and expressed confidence that his brother, Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale, would win by a significant margin in his constituency.